FA equality panel discusses Scudamore sexism slurs

A Football Association equality panel has met to discuss the leaked Richard Scudamore sexism emails. Yesterday David Cameron's spokesman said he took the same view of his sports minister - that the comments were "unacceptable."

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Treasury minister Andrea Leadsom has said that there is a culture within some key sports which "tolerates sexism".

Responding to criticism of Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore over leaked emails, she told ITV News: "I haven't looked at apparently some of the more salacious emails, but I do think there is a culture, particularly in some of the key sports, that does perhaps tolerate sexism."

She added: "I think it is incredibly unfortunate, because we can all take a joke, but actually it's very important that women are seen as colleagues and equals and encouraged to the best they can do."

"It depends. When does a joke become something that is actually harmful and humiliating for woman? I can't really comment in this particular case, but personally I would like to see men in particular respecting their colleagues as equals whether they are men or women."

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An Investigation into the conduct of Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore has found "no climate of disrespect of women in the workplace," an official statement has said.

"Responses from many women in employment at the Premier League, and extensive consultations with others, establish that there is no climate of disrespect of women in the workplace." The statement said.

The Premier League has ruled that "no further disciplinary action is required or justified" for Richard Scudamore after a series of leaked emails revealed sexist slurs.

In a statement to the media, the Chairman of the Premier League said that the Clubs had accepted the Chief Executive's "sincere" apology and "accepted his undertaking to take active steps to prevent a recurrence."

"In these circumstances and in the light of a previously unblemished record over 15 years of service to the Premier League, the Clubs resolved unanimously that no further disciplinary action is required or justified." The statement said.